Container opener



28, 1956 R. H. RASMUSSEN 2,760,714

CONTAINER OPENER Filed March 8, 1954 Fig.2 2?

QONTAINER QPENER Ross H. Rasmussen, Hooper, Nebr.

Application March 8, 1954, Serial No. 414,725

1 Claim. (Cl. 22951) This invention relates to a method for opening containers and more specifically provides an improved construction in plastic type containers wherein the container may be easily opened.

An obiect of this invention is to provide an improved method for opening containers wherein a flexible line is embedded in the top of the container with one end thereof being free, wherein the coiled line may be unwound thereby severing the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for opening containers wherein a plug is severed from the top of the container by a coil of flexible line embedded therein with the end of the line being embedded in the plug, thereby providing a handle for removing the plug from the opening defined thereby.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a container having an improved method for opening same which is simple in construction, easy to perform, well adapted for manufacturing processes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the container of the present invention showing the improved method of opening such a container;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 show ing the plug completely severed and removed from the opening in the top of the container;

Figure 3 is a detailed transverse section showing the flexible line embedded in the top of the container;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the coiled flexible line; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a container wherein the flexible line is embedded in the top thereof for removing the entire top of the container.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral generally designates the container of the present invention having the improved method for opening embodied therein and generally indicated by the numeral 12. The container 10 includes a top 14 and the container is preferably constructed of plastic or similar material. A flexible line 16 is disposed in a coil 18 and terminates in a hooked end portion 20 for a purpose described hereinafter. The other end of the flexible line 16 is provided with an enlarged portion 22 for easier gripping by a person desiring to open the container 10. It will be seen that the coil 18 is embedded in the plastic top 14 of the container 10 with the en- 2,760,714 Patented Aug. 28, 1956 larged end portion 22 projecting from the upper surface of the container 10 wherein the enlarged portion 22 may be pulled, thereby unwinding the coil 18 and severing the top 14 along the coil 18. The hooked end portion 29 is embedded in the plug and by the coiled portion 18 of the flexible line 16. It will be seen that after the coil 18 has been completely unwound and the plug, indicated by the numeral 24, is completely severed, the plug 24- may be removed from the opening 26 by lifting on the flexible line 16, in an obvious manner.

As specifically shown in Figure 5, the container top 14 may the flexible line disposed entirely around the circumference for entirely removing the top plug 28 in the same manner. Obviously, the devices of Figures 1 and 5 may be constructed of any suitable plastic, paper or other suitable materials wherein the material may be severed by a flexible line. The line 16 may be either a string or a wire, depending upon the material utilized in the construction of the container 10.

The operation of the device will be readily understood. After the container has been formed with the flexible line 16 embedded therein in a coiled condition, as illustrated by the numeral 13, the enlarged portion 22 may be grasped and pulled, thereby unwinding the coiled portion 18 and severing the top 14, thereby forming a removable plug 24 or 23. The plugs 24 or 28 may be removed by lifting on the line 16 which has a hooked end portion 20 em bedded in the plug 24 or 2%. It will be seen that the device of the present invention forms an easily opened co itaincr either for drinking the contents thereof, or pouring the contents into a container or the like.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination with a container having a relatively thick top member of unitary construction, a flexible line having a plurality of coils defining a cylinder embedded in said top member with the uppermost coil being disposed at the upper surface of the top member and the lowermost coil being disposed at the inner surface of the top member, one free end of the flexible line extending above the top member and forming a hand grip, the other end of said line being embedded in the top member within the area defined by the coiled line, said line having sufiicient strength to sever a cylindrical plug from the top member when the successive coils of the line are unwound whereby the severed plug may be lifted from the top member by employing the embedded end and line as a lifting member after the coil has been unwound.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 329,562 Howe Nov. 3, 1885 2,024,076 Thomas Dec. 10, 1935 2,239,691 Becker Apr. 29, 1941 2,392,479 Humbert Jan. 8, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 494,251 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1938 

